Live from the Connie, Dec 15 - 19

[mathgeek1978]

We arrived shortly after 1PM as advised by an earlier email that we received and check-in was very efficient. The Port of Miami is probably one of the most efficient, if not the most efficient port in the World. We had 5 ships in port today (2 X, 2 Carnival and the Norwegian Epic) and it appears that everything went smoothly at the port.

Once we went past security check-in with Celebrity was a breeze. We were the only one at the Concierge Class line, and the other lines had only few people in line. We were in our cabins in no time.

I’m happy to report that we are OFF code red. There are self-service items in the buffet, salt and pepper shakers are available. There are, however, “This table has been sanitized” signs on the dining tables at the buffet, something that I don’t recall seeing before.

We haven’t been to the entire ship yet, but the solsticized Connie looks great! The hallways and the cabins have been upgraded. The room looks nice. The T-pool looks great. So far our impression of the Connie has been very positive. The only disappointment is that the cabins still do not have WiFi, and in this respect, the M-class ships is a generation behind in technology.

We’ll keep you guys up to date during the cruise. If there’s anything that you guys want us to find out, just let us know, although we cannot guarantee that we can track down everything.

[Andy]

We arrived shortly after 1PM as advised by an earlier email that we received and check-in was very efficient. The Port of Miami is probably one of the most efficient, if not the most efficient port in the World. We had 5 ships in port today (2 X, 2 Carnival and the Norwegian Epic) and it appears that everything went smoothly at the port.

 

Once we went past security check-in with Celebrity was a breeze. We were the only one at the Concierge Class line, and the other lines had only few people in line. We were in our cabins in no time.

 

I’m happy to report that we are OFF code red. There are self-service items in the buffet, salt and pepper shakers are available. There are, however, “This table has been sanitized” signs on the dining tables at the buffet, something that I don’t recall seeing before.

 

We haven’t been to the entire ship yet, but the solsticized Connie looks great! The hallways and the cabins have been upgraded. The room looks nice. The T-pool looks great. So far our impression of the Connie has been very positive. The only disappointment is that the cabins still do not have WiFi, and in this respect, the M-class ships is a generation behind in technology.

 

We’ll keep you guys up to date during the cruise. If there’s anything that you guys want us to find out, just let us know, although we cannot guarantee that we can track down everything.

 

 

Hi Mathgeek,

 

Thanks for your updates. Great to hear the news. We are sailing on Connie on Jan 26th. As for the Wi-Fi, last I heard, Connie was scheduled to be upgraded on her next drydock in April, when she will have her Solsticizing 2.0.

 

Have a wonderful time on Connie. Happy Holidays !

[PathfinderEss]

Thanks for taking us along on your cruise.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Is there Wi-Fi in public areas?

 

We'll be on the sailing after yours, and will be in a Celebrity Suite (6104) that is right next to the internet cafe. Hopefully they have a strong signal there, which would benefit us... since we'll have 3 hours of internet to "burn"!

 

Enjoy your cruise - just make sure you bring that ship back on time! :D

 

Tom

[Dabu17]

Is Perry Grant aboard this cruise? If so, please ask him if he will be on the Eclipse starting 1/25/13?

 

Thank you and Ihope you enjoy the rest of your cruise!

[Andy]

Is Perry Grant aboard this cruise? If so, please ask him if he will be on the Eclipse starting 1/25/13?

 

Hi Dabu17,

 

Perry played his final performance (at least for the forseeable future) on Connie last night. I heard it was a very emotional, but beautiful evening for all. I believe that Perry is due on Eclipse for the Jan 26th sailing. I hope this helps. Happy Holidays !

[kobecat]

Please, please get wifi in cabins soon. We are on her in June.

[mathgeek1978]

Just to answer a couple of questions:

1. Tom: There are 4 hotspots but deck 6 right at the “Online at Celebrity” is NOT one of those. There’s where you go to open an account, and you have the option to use their computers (versus your own laptop). It’s all wired internet there.

The 4 hotspots are:

Deck 3 Gamma Room

Deck 4 Martini Bar

Deck 5 Café al Bacio

Deck 10 Seaside Café (Buffet) Starboard side

2. Perry Grant performed tonight at the typical “welcome show” and he performed 3 songs, ending with “New York New York”. The cruise director, Esperanza announced that he will be performing in the Michaels Club during THIS cruise.

Gotta sleep… More updates tomorrow…

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Just to answer a couple of questions:

1. Tom: There are 4 hotspots but deck 6 right at the “Online at Celebrity” is NOT one of those. There’s where you go to open an account, and you have the option to use their computers (versus your own laptop). It’s all wired internet there.

The 4 hotspots are:

Deck 3 Gamma Room

Deck 4 Martini Bar

Deck 5 Café al Bacio

Deck 10 Seaside Café (Buffet) Starboard side

2. Perry Grant performed tonight at the typical “welcome show” and he performed 3 songs, ending with “New York New York”. The cruise director, Esperanza announced that he will be performing in the Michaels Club during THIS cruise.

Gotta sleep… More updates tomorrow…

 

Well... damn!! I suppose we've become spoiled, but we expect Wi-Fi in the cabin.

 

Thanks for the specifics though. Better to know now than to get onboard (in the room) and make that discovery!! :eek:

 

I've never seen Perry, and it would appear that my streak won't end! (as I doubt he'll be on for the next sailing)...

 

Tom

[Keith1010]

Have a wonderful cruise.

 

Keith

[Andy]

2. Perry Grant performed tonight at the typical “welcome show” and he performed 3 songs, ending with “New York New York”. The cruise director, Esperanza announced that he will be performing in the Michaels Club during THIS cruise.

 

Gotta sleep… More updates tomorrow…

 

Hi Mathgeek,

 

Thanks for letting us know. I'm positive that I read that Perry was disembarking Connie after the TA sailing, but it seems his schedule has changed. Glad to hear he's onboard. Had I known, I would have definitely booked. Oh well.

 

Can you find out if Perry is staying beyond this sailing ? I doubt he is, but would be nice to know. Thanks, and have a great time !

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Hi Mathgeek,

 

Thanks for letting us know. I'm positive that I read that Perry was disembarking Connie after the TA sailing, but it seems his schedule has changed. Glad to hear he's onboard. Had I known, I would have definitely booked. Oh well.

 

Can you find out if Perry is staying beyond this sailing ? I doubt he is, but would be nice to know. Thanks, and have a great time !

 

One never knows - perhaps there'll be a quickie (12/20) sailing in your future! :D

 

...but then again, nothing shows as available online at this point...

 

Tom

[DiamondDiva]

Thanks for the continued onboard updates. We will be on her on 1/31, so eager to hear as much as you post :-)

[mathgeek1978]

Well... damn!! I suppose we've become spoiled, but we expect Wi-Fi in the cabin.

 

Thanks for the specifics though. Better to know now than to get onboard (in the room) and make that discovery!! :eek:

 

I've never seen Perry, and it would appear that my streak won't end! (as I doubt he'll be on for the next sailing)...

 

Tom

 

1. Tom: I checked out the location of your suite and it appears that it is almost directly above the Café al Bacio, a hotspot, so you MIGHT be able to get some signals from your room
   

[mathgeek1978]

Just a few thoughts about day one:

 

A great improvement on Select Dining since we last cruise on X is that there are two lines – one with reservation and one without. We have made this suggestion a couple of times when Select Dining was first launched, and are glad to see it implemented.

 

We made our reservation online weeks ago and last night we were seated at a table for two with no wait.

 

The “shrimp cocktail” is missing a word in its name – petite… Or maybe two words – very petite. There were 4 tiny shrimps, like those you buy from a supermarket at $4.99 a pound. It was almost tasteless and was not even served cold (it was at room temperature).

 

Both the fish and prime rib entrees were very good.

 

Escargots was on the everyday menu, while the lobster bisque is not.

 

The French couple from Paris performing acrobats swinging on a rope is not on the Connie. We saw them on the Summit before, and last night they were as fabulous as they were. Their show is a must-see.

 

The comedian (forgot his name) was awesome, and had me laughing till my stomach hurt.

 

Of course, Perry was as amazing as his reputation.

 

Most of the slot machines are now coinless but there are still a few of the old machines using coins – I guess they need to save these for some customers who are more comfortable using coins. Many of the new machines are up to the high-end Indian casino standard.

[cruisestitch]

"Can you find out if Perry is staying beyond this sailing ? I doubt he is, but would be nice to know. Thanks, and have a great time !"

 

No, the 20th will be his last day on Connie

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

"Can you find out if Perry is staying beyond this sailing ? I doubt he is, but would be nice to know. Thanks, and have a great time !"

 

No, the 20th will be his last day on Connie

 

Guess some things are just not meant to be!

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

1. Tom: I checked out the location of your suite and it appears that it is almost directly above the Café al Bacio, a hotspot, so you MIGHT be able to get some signals from your room
   

 

Ahhhh -- there may be hope then!

 

Thanks, I'll see if there's a decent signal. If not, I'll be prepared and just run an Ethernet cable under our door and into the internet cafe! :D:D

 

Tom

[cruisestitch]

Oddly, on Connie the internet lounge is NOT a hot spot.....

 

This is an artifact of previous computer center/wi-fi placement -- when the I lounge was where the Martini Bar is today, the wi-fi system was put into place -- so you can get pretty strong signal at the Martini Bar, and at Cafe al Bacio, but there is no wi-fi at the computer center on Deck 6! Some people have a little luck going to the nearby staircase, or standing in front of the elevators, but inside the actual computer center, no wi-fi, for now.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Oddly, on Connie the internet lounge is NOT a hot spot.....

 

This is an artifact of previous computer center/wi-fi placement -- when the I lounge was where the Martini Bar is today, the wi-fi system was put into place -- so you can get pretty strong signal at the Martini Bar, and at Cafe al Bacio, but there is no wi-fi at the computer center on Deck 6! Some people have a little luck going to the nearby staircase, or standing in front of the elevators, but inside the actual computer center, no wi-fi, for now.

 

I might want to bring a book... LOL

 

Tom

[lovestx]

Thanks for the updates, Mathgeek.

 

Two questions: can you give us a sense of how 'formal' people are on your formal night?

 

Is the a cappella group onboard Top Shelf?

[CruisinCrow]

So glad that escargot is back!

 

Do they have any drink specials at the Martini Bar?

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the live updates!

[Dabu17]

Constellation's loss is our gain. We are looking forward to Perry's "debut"on the Eclipse January 26th!!!!!!!! :)

[mathgeek1978]

Just a quick update:

This will be Perry’s last cruise on the Connie, after which he will be taking a break. He will appear next on the Eclipse on Jab 26th. He put up an absolutely amazing performance tonight. Just the show itself is worth the cruise.

More updates to come soon.